July 10, 2016

Highlighted Year: Ron Davenport, 1985

Fullback, Miami
Dolphins

Age: 23 (Dec.
22)

1st
season in pro football

College: Louisville

Height: 6’2”Weight: 225

Prelude:

In college,
Davenport rushed for 1477 yards on 369 carries (4.0 avg.) and caught 55 passes
for another 532 and scored a total of 18 touchdowns. He was chosen by the
Dolphins in the sixth round of the 1985 NFL draft and proved to be an
outstanding short-yardage runner near the goal line and in third down
situations.

Dolphins went
12-4 to finish first in the AFC East. Won AFC Divisional playoff over Cleveland
Browns (24-21). Lost AFC Championship to New England Patriots (31-14).

Aftermath:

Davenport
spent another four seasons with the Dolphins, but his first remained his most
productive. He ran for 314 yards in 1986 but with no rushing TDs and scored
just two more in the remainder of his time with the club. He was utilized more
as a receiver out of the backfield and achieved career highs with 30 receptions
for 282 yards in 1988. Competing with FB Woody Bennett, a better pass blocker,
and effective in spurts, Davenport was also inconsistent. Overall, he rushed
for 1127 yards on 374 attempts (4.1 avg.), caught 93 passes for 801 yards, and
scored 17 touchdowns.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus
first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the
following statistical categories: